Civil War Blog

Posted By Norman Gasbarro on March 18, 2014

Today’s post on the Shamokin Cemetery’s Soldiers’ Circle features nine graves in the outer circle, second quadrant, beginning with photograph 33.  The photographs in this are numbered 33 through 41.  All of the stones in this section are fairly easy to read, but not all are identifiable by regiment and company.  All of the stones in this section are sequenced in the order of the death of the veteran.  For each of the veterans, the best determination of the name is given and where possible some information about the military record.  Some errors may be noted where the information on the stone may not match other records.  Each grave photograph may be enlarged by clicking on it, and in some cases, readers may be able to identify or clarify some of the unknown information.  Comments can be added to this post or sent by e-mail to the Civil War Research Project.  The collected information on soldiers buried in the circle (including some military records, pension files, photographs, etc.) is available free-of-charge to veterans organizations, historical societies, and other non-profit groups.  Inquiries may be sent by e-mail or by regular mail, to the attention of Norman Gasbarro, P.O. Box 523, Gratz, PA  17030.

For all four quadrants of the map, click here.

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#33 – George W. Foulke

This government issue stone is for George W. Foulk (also known as George Fulk or George Folk), who was born on 12 September 1844 in Northumberland County and died either on the 1 October or 4 October 1885.  It is possible that from this point in the circle, all the stones and graves were placed in the order of death – making it somewhat easier to determine the names, regiments and death dates on the badly worn stones.  Foulk served in the 3rd Pennsylvania Artillery (Heavy), Battery K, as a Private, from 26 February 1864 through his honorable discharge on 9 November 1865.  He had enrolled and was mustered in at Harrisburg giving his occupation as farmer and his residence as Berks County.  No Pension Index Card has been located for him and it is likely that he never applied.

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#34 – Jacob J. Rumberger

Jacob J. Rumberger was born about 1840 and died about 1886.  He is also found in the records as Jacob Romberger and Jacob Rumbarger.  The stone states he served in the 17th Pennsylvania Infantry, when in fact he served in the 173rd Pennsylvania Infantry, Company K, as a Private, where he was mustered into service on 2 November 1862 and discharged on a Surgeon’s Certificate of Disability on 10 March 1863.  On 17 April 1883, Jacob applied for a pension but did not receive one, probably because he died before the application process was completed.  His widow, Harriet Elizabeth [Reed] Rumberger, then applied on 23 October 1891, but she also did not receive a pension.  Not much more is known about Jacob J. Rumberger at this time except that he is not the same person of that name who served in the 103rd Pennsylvania Infantry.

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#35 – Charles H. Conrad

Charles H. Conrad, born about 1835, and died in Shamokin on 20 Jul 1886, was a carpenter who served three enlistments although only one is noted on his grave marker.  He was also known by the alias, Charles H. Conard.  His first enlistment was in the 8th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company A, as a Private, for three months from 22 April 1861 through 29 Jul 1862.  At the time he gave his age as 24 and his residence as Shamokin.  Following this, claiming to be 28 years old, he served in the 129th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company K and Company G, also as a Private, from 13 August 1862 through honorable discharge on 18 May 1863.  Finally, he enrolled in Harrisburg and was mustered into the 46th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company K, as a Private, 29 February 1864 to 16 July 1865.  In this latter enlistment, he claimed he was 30 years old and was from Montgomery County, all-the-while still a carpenter.  Following the war his application for pension was submitted on 13 July 1877, but he did not receive the pension.  An application was made for support for his minor children on 26 July 1890, which was approved, and much later, his widow, Catherine [Honecker] Conrad, applied for benefits, which she received.  These pension application files are available at the National Archives in Washington, D.C.

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#36 – George Frederick

Born about 1844, George W. Frederick served in the 46th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company K, as a Private from 29 February 1864 through his discharge, but the records show that on 25 April 1865, he was “absent sick.”  He had enrolled and was mustered in at Harrisburg claiming he was a resident of Lebanon County who was employed as a miner.  George W. Frederick died about 1886. Neither he nor his widow were able to obtain a pension, but both applied, he on 21 October 1871 and his widow on 19 May 1888.  The widow’s name has not yet been found in the records.

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#37 – John Strickland

John Strickland only served in the 36th Pennsylvania Infantry (Emergency of 1863), Company K, according to his tombstone, but at least one record may have him serving in the 4th U.S. Infantry, Company C, as a Private.  John was born around 1845 and died 6 December 1886.  He also applied for a pension as the record shows on 29 May 1876, which was never awarded.  There is no record of a widow, but a possible wife’s name of Mary Persing has been found in one record.

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#38 – Joseph Greager

Joseph Greager served in the 12th Pennsylvania Cavalry from 20 March 1864 through 20 July 1865. He enrolled and was mustered into service at Harrisburg on 20 March 1864 and was discharged at the end of service on 20 July 1865.  At the time of his enrollment, he said he was 18 years old, but his stone says he was born in 1849, which would have made him only 15.  Two widows applied for his pension, the first, Clara Greager, applied on 21 December 1889 (she received a widow’s pension), and the second, Emma C. Greager, who applied on 17 January 1907 (she was denied).  One of the pension application files can be found with the records of Daniel Toy who served in the 101st Pennsylvania Infantry, Company A.

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#39 – David Montour

Help is appreciated on identifying this soldier, David Montour. He was not located in Company A of the 21st Pennsylvania Infantry.  It is possible that he may have served in the 21st U.S. Infantry, Company A.   According to his position in the circle, he probably died in 1889.

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#40 – James J. Douty

James J. Douty was born in Pottsville, Schuylkill County, on 22 November 1833, and died at Shamokin on 20 September 1889.  He is found in the records as Duddy, Doty, Todd, Toddy, and James I. Douty.  The stone indicates he served in the 99th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company C, as a Private.  The Pennsylvania Veterans’ File Card states that he originally enrolled in Company D of that regiment on 17 August 1861, and then transferred to Company C, date unknown.  At the time of enrollment, his residence was given as Philadelphia, his occupation was engineer, and his age was either 27 or 30. He then re-enlisted on 1 January 1864, at Brandy Station, Virginia, and honorably completed his service on 1 July 1865.   There is also a record that a James Douty enrolled in Reading in the 32nd Pennsylvania Infantry (3rd Pennsylvania Reserves), Company C, as a Private, on 7 June 1861, but deserted on 9 December 1862 at Falmouth, Virginia.  That James Douty was a shoemaker who resided in Berks County and was 19 years old.  Another James Douty enrolled in Company G of that regiment, but was recorded as “died at Fredericksburg, Virginia,” on 13 December 1862.  The James J. Douty who is buried in the Soldiers’ Circle applied for an invalid pension on 6 February 1883, but did not receive one.  His widow, Mary E. Douty, applied on 9 July 1890, and received a pension based on service in Companies C and D of the 32nd Pennsylvania Infantry as well as the 99th Pennsylvania Infantry, thus confirming that the shoemaker (aged 19) who was reported as deserted, and the engineer (aged 27 or 30) were the same person.  All of this confusion can be clarified in the pension application files of James J. Douty and his widow; the files are available at the National Archives in Washington, D.C.

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#41 – Government Stone – Unreadable

This government issued grave marker is partially readable and is for a soldier who died around 1889.  Some patience is needed to interpret the lettering.  It is possible that a reader has a high resolution picture of the stone taken before it was eroded by the weather – or has some other records that indicate who is buried here.

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For all posts in this series, click on ShamokinSoldCircle.

Category: Queries, Research, Stories | Comments Off on The Shamokin Soldiers’ Circle – Photographs 33 – 41
Tags: Cemetery

Posted By Norman Gasbarro on March 15, 2014

Today’s post on the Shamokin Cemetery’s Soldiers’ Circle features nine graves in the outer circle, second quadrant, beginning at the first stone in the quadrant.  The photographs are numbered 24 through 24.  Unfortunately, like those in photographs 6 through 23, most of the grave sites have stones that are unreadable due to severe weathering.  It is believed that this is still part of the first group of burials in the circle and that some of the soldiers may been re-interred here when the memorial was created, and therefore the burials are not necessarily in the order of death.  For each of the veterans, the best determination of the name is given and where possible some information about the military record.  Some errors may be noted where the information on the stone may not match other records.  Each grave photograph may be enlarged by clicking on it, and in some cases, readers may be able to identify or clarify some of the unknown information.  Comments can be added to this post or sent by e-mail to the Civil War Research Project.  The collected information on soldiers buried in the circle (including some military records, pension files, photographs, etc.) is available free-of-charge to veterans organizations, historical societies, and other non-profit groups.  Inquiries may be sent by e-mail or by regular mail, to the attention of Norman Gasbarro, P.O. Box 523, Gratz, PA  17030.

For all four quadrants of the map, click here.

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#24 – Emil Wolf

While this is clearly the grave of “Civil War” soldier Emil Wolf, nothing else about him is found on his grave stone.  It is possible that this man served in a New York regiment since there are some veterans with the same name from that state.  However, nothing has been confirmed about him.

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#25 – George Wagner

The George Wagner buried here was a clearly a Civil War veteran.  There are too many persons of this name who served in Pennsylvania regiments to conclude accurately which one is this George Wagner.  However, since he is buried in this early part of the circle, he probably died before 1887.  Can anyone further identify this veteran?

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#26 – John N. Coder

John N. Coder was born 13 November 1843 and died 19 September 1862 following a leg amputation.  On 28 February 1862 at Shamokin, he enrolled in the 46th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company K, as a Private, and was mustered into service in Harrisburg.  At the time, he was 18 years of age and was residing in Northumberland County where he was working as a clerk.  At the Battle of Cedar Mountain, Virginia, he was severely wounded resulting in the amputation and he died at the Wolf Street Hospital in Alexandria, Virginia.  John’s mother, Alada Pitner, applied for a pension based on his service and death.  The application was submitted on 26 September 1879, but for an unknown reason, it was not awarded to her.  It is highly probably that John N. Coder was re-interred in the Soldiers’ Circle when it was created, but it is not known at this time where he was buried prior to that.

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#27 – UNKNOWN

An “Unknown” soldier is buried at this location.

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#28 – ——– Taylor

Perhaps this is the grave of William Taylor or some other veteran with the surname Taylor.  The stone indicates he served in the 48th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company K, or the 46th Pennsylvania Infantry.  Although there were men named Taylor in both regiments, more information is needed to confirm who this is.  Somewhere there should be an application for a government issue stone which matches the known information and the cemetery.

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#29 – Government Stone – Unreadable

The soldier buried here probably died around 1885.  The government issue stone is badly worn and difficult to read.

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#30 – Government Stone – Unreadable

The soldier buried here probably died around 1885.  The government issue stone is badly worn and difficult to read.

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#31 – Government Stone – Unreadable

The soldier buried here probably died around 1885.  The government issue stone is badly worn and difficult to read.

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#32 – UNKNOWN

Another “Unknown” soldier is buried here.  It is not known why these graves are marked this way.

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For all posts in this series, click on ShamokinSoldCircle.

Category: Queries, Research, Stories | 1 Comment »
Tags: Cemetery

Posted By Norman Gasbarro on March 13, 2014

Today’s post on the Shamokin Cemetery’s Soldiers’ Circle features nine graves in the outer circle, first quadrant, beginning at the tenth stone from the path.  The photographs are numbered 15 through 23.  Unfortunately, like those in photographs 6 through 14, most of the grave sites have stones that are unreadable due to severe weathering.  It is believed that this is part of the first group of burials in the circle and that some of the soldiers may been re-interred here when the memorial was created, and therefore the burials are not necessarily in the order of death.  For each of the veterans, the best determination of the name is given and where possible some information about the military record.  Some errors may be noted where the information on the stone may not match other records.  Each grave photograph may be enlarged by clicking on it, and in some cases, readers may be able to identify or clarify some of the unknown information.  Comments can be added to this post or sent by e-mail to the Civil War Research Project.  The collected information on soldiers buried in the circle (including some military records, pension files, photographs, etc.) is available free-of-charge to veterans organizations, historical societies, and other non-profit groups.  Inquiries may be sent by e-mail or by regular mail, to the attention of Norman Gasbarro, P.O. Box 523, Gratz, PA  17030.

For all four quadrants of the map, click here.

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#15 – Government Issue Stone – Unreadable

Badly worn and unreadable, this government issue stone is in the same style as ones found in national cemeteries.  It most likely once had the name of the veteran, his company, and regiment.

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#16 – Government Issue Stone – Unreadable

Also badly worn and unreadable, this government issue stone is in the same style as ones found in national cemeteries.  It most likely once had the name of the veteran, his company, and regiment.

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#17 – Government Issue Stone – Unreadable

Badly worn and unreadable, this government issue stone is in the same style as ones found in national cemeteries.  It most likely once had the name of the veteran, his company, and regiment.

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#18 – Government Issue Stone – Unreadable

Badly worn and unreadable, this government issue stone is in the same style as ones found in national cemeteries.  It most likely once had the name of the veteran, his company, and regiment.

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#19 – Government Issue Stone – Unreadable

Badly worn and unreadable, this government issue stone is in the same style as ones found in national cemeteries.  It most likely once had the name of the veteran, his company, and regiment.  It is also partially sunken, and a few of the letters on it may be decipherable upon close examination.

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#20 – Christopher Alderson

Although this stone is sunken in the ground and partially unreadable, it is clearly the grave of Christopher Alderson.  The regiment noted is the 36th Pennsylvania Infantry, but no records exist for a soldier of that name in that regiment.  Instead, there is a Christoper Alderson who served in the 56th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company D, as a Private.  Other that the Pennsylvania Veterans’ Index Card which notes that Christopher was 44 years old at the time of enlistment (born about 1817), that he was a resident of Shamokin, and was a miner, no other personal information is given.  There are no muster in or muster out dates noted on the card and he cannot be found on either roll.  Unfortunately, Christopher died at Acquia Creek, April 1862.  He was probably re-interred in the Shamokin Cemetery well after his death, because the Soldiers’ Circle was created years after the war.

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#21 – Henry Allison

While this is clearly the grave marker of Henry Allison, the other information on the stone has not been helpful in determining much else about him.  Does the stone read “26th Pennsylvania Infantry” or “28th Pennsylvania Infantry?”  More info is sought!

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#22 – Government Issue Stone – Unreadable

Badly worn and unreadable, this government issue stone is in the same style as ones found in national cemeteries.  It most likely once had the name of the veteran, his company, and regiment. The stone also contains some pitting.

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#23 – UNKNOWN

This is still another “Unknown” soldier with a grave marker in the same style as those previously reported in the picture grouping numbered 6 through 14.

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For all posts in this series, click on ShamokinSoldCircle.

Category: Queries, Research, Stories | Comments Off on The Shamokin Soldiers’ Circle – Photographs 15 – 23
Tags: Cemetery

Posted By Norman Gasbarro on March 11, 2014

This post concludes a chronicle of the worst flooding on the Susquehanna River in history – at least at the time that it occurred.  The text is featured from two contemporary newspaper articles which provided information on the extent of the damage.

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From the Philadelphia Inquirer, 18 March 1865:

GREAT FRESHET.  THE RAILROADS SUBMERGED.  The Bridges Swept Away.  Great Destruction of Property.

Special Despatches to the Inquirer.

Harrisburg, 17 March 1865 — The flood in the Susquehanna is said to be fully equal to that of 1846.  Although the river was very high yesterday, it commenced rising rapidly during the night, so that today fears are entertained that the Cumberland Valley Bridge will go down.  At the eastern terminus of the bridgte the water is washing the wood work, while at the western terminus it is within eight feet of the edge.  The engineer’s room in the water-house is flooded and all engines have stopped working.  All the islands in this vicinity are submerged.  A small tenement came down this morning.

The Paxton Creek, skirting the eastern portion of the town, is trying to emulate the river, the water having backed upt the stream and partly submerging a number of houses.  Nearly all the railroads centering here are obstructed by the flood.  At many places along the river the tracks are submerged in from three to five fet of water.  It is reported here that the bridge over the Susquehanna at Northumberland has been sept away, but as the telegraph line north and west is down, it is impossible to ascertain the truth.  The banks of the river present quite a scene of excitement.

Additional Particulars.

Harrisburg, 6 P.M. — The Cumberland Valley Bridge is still standing, though the water is rising against it. A larger portion of the lower and eastern end of the town has been submerged since my last.  Many families are moving to more elevated positions.  It seems well settled that the Clark’s Ferry Bridge over the Juniata at the junction has gone down.

The eastern trains on the Pennsylvania Railroad are all stopped.

They cannot even avail themselves of the Mount Joy Branch, owing to the fact that the road is covered by over four feet of water between this and Elizabethtown.  A train left here for Pittsburgh at noon.  The mails for Pittsburgh arrived here by Lebanon Valley Railroad.  A Northern Central train reached here from the South, having run over a bridge covered by two feet of water at New Cumberland.

A portion of Paxton Street, a great part of Front and Market, and all the streets west of Sixth are partly or wholly submerged.  The water is now, six and a half o’clock twenty feet above low water mark, by the register at the city water house.

A vast amount of lumber and articles of many descriptions are passing down the river, showing that great loss of property must have taken place above.

Later.

Harrisburg, 17 March 1865 – 7 P.M. — A span of a bridge has just passed down the river on the western side, supposed to be from Duncannon.  A span of the Clark’s Ferry Bridge has been knocked out.

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From the Philadelphia Inquirer, 20 March 1865:

THE FLOOD ON THE SUSQUEHANNA.  PARTS OF HARRISBURG SUBMERGED!  Water, Gas, Rolling Mills and Manufactories Stoped.  400 FAMILIES DEPRIVED OF HOUSE AND HOME.  GREAT DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY.  The River Higher Than Ever Before.  BRIDGES AND HOUSES SWEPT AWAY.  Railroad and Telegraph Communication Stopped – Canals Overflowed.

Special Correspondence of the Inquirer.

Harrisburg, 18 March 1865 — The Susquehanna is a stream of romantic beauty in placidity, and with its adjunct of the “Blue Juniata” it may be said to traverse a country almost surpassed in grandeur and magnificence of scenery.  But when its currents are swollen by rains, and its elements vexed by lashing winds, the placid “winding river” becomes terrible in its impetuosity.

It sweeps by vale and woodland, by town and hamlet, past valley gorge and mountain cliff, like one mad, rushing to eternity, as a besom of destruction.

The Flood of 1846

Such a flood there was in 1846, to which those who can recollect it refer as the “Great Flood.” which swept trees, boats, houses, and almost every conceivable article of property in its onward course.  According to the register at the Harrisburg Water House, the water had then attained a point twenty-two feet above low water mark.  In the long years since then not another flood like that has occurred until now.

The Flood of 1865.

For several days past the river had been in a swollen state, owing to the thaw of ice and snow on its bosom, in its tributaries and along its banks, the late heavy rains contributing much to its volume.  But the ice, so much dreaded, had passed down without doing much material damage and it was thought the worst was over.  Much anxiety had been manifested, but now people congratulated themselves on their probable escape from another “great flood.”

Rate of Rising – The Great Volume

But the river, fickle main, alas! was indeed most viciously disposed.  Early night before last, contrary to the usual order of things, she rose and commenced rising in a very bad humor.  At seven o’clock yesterday morning the water had reached nineteen feet above low water, and at seven in the evening it had reached twenty-four feet eight inches, eighteen inches higher than in 1846.  Some idea of the rapidity of increase in volume, may be gathered from the fact that during the space of eleven minutes of the watch, the river had risen three inches.  From nine to four o’clock nigh before last, it rose two feet, and continued to rise at the rate of seven inches per hour.

Between two and six o’clock yesterday afternoon there was a rise of some twenty inches, being a decrease of rate as to height attained but not as to volume.

The City Water Works Stopped

Early in the morning the engine room of the City Water Works was submerged, the fires extinguished, and the engines stopped working.  The Mayor deemed it necessary to issue proclamation to the citizens, requesting them to abstain from unnecessary use of water as the supply in the reservoirs was very low.  The water was afterwards shut off, except between the house of six and eight A. M.

The Railroad Bridge.

Fears were entertained for the safety of the bridges across the Susquehanna here.  The Cumberland Valley Railroad Bridge was deemed in imminent danger.  This bridge is somewhat lower than the road bridge, having a descending grade from the western to the eastern shore o about nine feet to the mile.  The water was rapidly approaching the woodwork, until at about twelve o’clock M—— was kissed by the spray at the eastern terminus.  Increasing in volume, the water soon rose higher against the structure.

Logs, trees and timber in all shapes came rushing down with the rolling torrent at the rate of about eight miles per hour.  It was curious to see, as they approached the bridge, how they appeared like military battering rams, bent on a war of extermination.  They seemed to prepare themselves for the occasion.  Now and then, a sleek, fat “boom log: would come sailing along like a clipper ship, and nearing the bridge, would pose itself for the attack, and go crashing through the weather-boarding and timber much to the delight of the urchins assembled, and then dive under, to reappear on the other side, on is voyage to the Chesapeake.  But the bridge stood these damaging attacks most manfully.

The City Inundated

Meanwhile, the water was fast invading the lower portions of the city.  The much-dreaded back-action on the Paxton Creek had commenced.  Soon the water overflowed the bank of the little stream, submerging the Pennsylvania Railroad Bridge across it.  Its encroachments now reached the city limits.  The Paxton and Lochtel Iron Works were deluged, and quite a little town of working men, who had earned their little homes by years of toil, lost their all.  They fled from the scene in terror, women and children, wandering in every direction, in want and poverty.

This indeed was sad.  As the inundation spread the distress increase.  From the upper end of the town to the extreme lower terminus of the creek the water had formed quite a lake, submerging the houses between Sixth Stree and Allison’s Hill.  Families moved to the upper stories or entirely deserted their homes.  Boats and stray planks became their means of locomotion from place to place.  Thousands of dollars of property was destroyed. And this, we are told, is but one of the many instances of damage and distress along the banks of the river.

The Excitement.

The scene , indeed, beggars description.  Stretched along the banks of the steam, and along the borders of inundated districts, were men, women and children, gazing upon the turbid torrent as it rolled past them, in awe and silence betimes,, as if the river were a living thing, a demon, bearing on its bosom the stains of a hundred murders.  As of fire so may be said of water when it becomes master.

Stretching as far as eye could reach, almost, was the yellow, muddy element, raging and roaring where it met with obstacles, like the billows of a troubled sea, spitting its white foam in mad glee.  An immense concourse of people were intent upon watching the bridge and the mad capers of the floating timber.  It was not thought the bridge could possibly stand so long.  A large island in the middle of the river, on which is a farm house and large barn, was entirely covered by the raging element, and bystanders busied themselves discussing the probable fate of live stock stabled in the barn.

A report was current, notwithstanding the absence of communication by telegraph, that the bridge over the North Branch at Northumberland had been swept away, and the inquiry was momentarily propounded,  “What effect will it have upon our bridge when it comes sweeping down?”  IN the morning a block-house — one of those erected by the Pennsylvania Railroad during the raid last summer – came down on the western side, and hitting a pier of the bridge, was knocked to pieces in a twinkling.  “Good-by, block-house!”

About half-past six in the evening a span of a bridge came down, but on the western side, where it could pass under the railroad bridge.  Old water-men stood by, with arms folded, coolly watching splendid logs passing.  They did not exert themselves for their capture, because of the miserable pittance allowed by act of Legislature for the risk of life and limb.  This act was passed after the flood of 1853, at the instance of the boom corporations along the upper branches, who wished to recover their timber at as little expense as possible, and this had given great offense to the river men.

Bystander to urchin, catching small timber – “There’s a large log passing you, bub.”  “Don’t want it; boom log.”

The Night Scene.

And so the day passed, until night, with her mantle of darkness, covered the scene; and even then crowds lingered near the bridge, like ghostly sentinels, awaiting the fall of the structure.  About nine o’clock, a train of passengers passed over slowly and cautiously, to avoid, to avoid a too great shock to the timbers.  The river was still rising, and the logs and timbers were forming a dam against the bridge.  It was manifest that the strain was becoming too much for the bridge, and about half-past nine it gave a loud groan of pain, and groan succeeded groan.

As the bridge would make  these manifestations shouts would ascend from the crowd on shore.  The scene in Schiller’s Brave Men could not have been more animating, only there was no particular terror here to lend enchantment to this midnight scene.

Signal lights were waved along the road.  At every creak of the timbers a guage would be taken of the extent of the damage.  A terrific wind from the west prevailed, driving the drift against the eastern shore, and lashing the water in foam crests against the bank and bridge.

Saturday Morning.

This morning dawned clear and beautiful with a prevailing wind from the west.  It was found that the river had risen some two feet during the night. It was now twenty-five feet and a-half above low water mark, in an increase of three feet six inches over the flood of 1846.

The Market was slimly attended, the countrymen not being able to reach the city.

The Bridge.

Contrary to all expectations, [the bridge] was still standing, though its timbers were strained and shattered.  It had moved some twenty inches during the night, notwithstanding the stays contrived to keep it in its place.  Huge ropes were tied to it, connecting with trees on the land, drawn at tight tension, and several cars, loaded with iron, were placed upon the top to keep it down.  The logs and timbers had caught in the trestle-work below, forming a dam, at the eastern terminus.

At present the bridge is still standing, with the water at a stand-still.  Several spans came down at about nine o’clock, crashing through underneath the bridge.  No fears are entertained in regard to the old carriage bridge, which is much higher and stronger.  The water, however, is sweeping with great velocity and depth over the island between the two portions of the bridge, which presents the appearance of having been partly swept away.

The General  Scene – Extent of Damage

Harrisburg is now perfectly isolated, the waters having rushed over the banks of the river about four miles above, forcing a connection with the Paxton Creek.  This has greatly increased the volume of water to the north and east.  It is twnty feet deep at the Half-Way House, two miles east of the town.  It has now reached Vine Street, covering it to the depth of several feet.

On Front Street it is very near the mansion of Sion Cameron.  On Second, it has nearly reached Meadow Lane.  The canal is completely obliterated in the flood.  The gas house is submerged and the supply of gas has been stopped.  All the engines in the Novelty Iron Works are under water.   Porches, stoops and articles are floating in every direction.  Every rolling mill and iron manufactory has been stopped.  Over four hundred families are drowned out of house and home.

One million dollars will not cover the damage in Harrisburg alone.

The Damage Elsewhere

The loss of property elsewhere along the banks of the river must be unprecedented.  A Rebel invasion, followed by burning  and pillage, could not prove as destructive as this flood.  Booms on the north and west branches of the Susquehanna have broken, and companies and individuals have lost thousands of dollars worth of logs and timber.  Bridges have been swept away, among them the bridge over the Juniata at the Junction, the one over the Susquehanna at Clark’s Ferry; one at Duncan, spanning a creek, while all the rest are more or less damaged.  Islands are under water, stock drowned, and household articles lost.

At Middletown the water has flooded a great part of the town destroying a very large amount of property while in fact, all along the stream houses and towns are immersed.

Telegraph communication has almost entirely ceased.  The Western Union will lose about $20,000; the United States Company about $10,000; while all the other companies lose heavily.

The railroad communications are nearly all severed.  On the Pennsylvania Road, between this and Middletown, the water is ten feet deep in some places, and about Columbia it is deeper.  Several bridges, it is through, have been swept away here.  The Northern Central cannot cross the bridge here, and are ending their passengers to Baltimore by way of Philadelphia and Reading and cetera.  The Pennsylvania Company is running its cars on the Reading Road.  Colonel Thomas A. Scott is here superintending the transportation business.  The Cumberland Valley Company have ceased running.  So also the dauphin and Susquehanna.  A large number of strangers are here awaiting transportation.

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News articles are from the on-line resources of the Free Library of Philadelphia.

Category: Research, Stories | Comments Off on The Susquehanna River Flood of March 1865 (Part 2 of 2)
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Posted By Norman Gasbarro on March 8, 2014

Today’s post on the Shamokin Cemetery’s Soldiers’ Circle features nine graves in the outer circle, first quadrant, beginning at the path.  The photographs are numbered 6 through 14.  Unfortunately, most of the grave sites have stones that are unreadable due to severe weathering.  It is believed that this is the first group of burials in the circle and that some of the soldiers may been re-interred here when the memorial was created, and therefore the burials are not necessarily in the order of death.  For each of the veterans, the best determination of the name is given and where possible some information about the military record.  Some errors may be noted where the information on the stone may not match other records.  Each grave photograph may be enlarged by clicking on it, and in some cases, readers may be able to identify or clarify some of the unknown information.  Comments can be added to this post or sent by e-mail to the Civil War Research Project.  The collected information on soldiers buried in the circle ( including some military records, pension files, photographs, etc.) is available free-of-charge to veterans organizations, historical societies, and other non-profit groups.  Inquiries may be sent by e-mail or by regular mail, to the attention of Norman Gasbarro, P.O. Box 523, Gratz, PA  17030.

For all four quadrants of the map, click here.

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#6 – Joseph W. ——-

The name on this stone is Joseph, and the middle initial looks like “W,” but the surname cannot readily be determined.

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#7 – Unreadable

This stone is badly worn and practically none of the lettering is readable.  Information is sought on who is buried in this grave.

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#8 – Unreadable

This stone is worn and unreadable although some of the letters are discernible.  Perhaps a blog reader knows who is buried here?

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#9 – Michael Norton

Michael Norton, born 1836, enrolled in the 13th Pennsylvania Cavalry, Company A, as a Private, at Philadelphia, and was mustered into service at the same place on 16 February 1862.  Military records indicate that he was a prisoner of war from 9 March 1864 to 30 November 1864, but where he was held was not given in the available on-line records.  He was mustered out of service by General Order on 15 March 1865.  On 6 April 1878 he applied for an invalid pension, which he collected until his death which occurred on 2 December 1886.  There is no record that a widow applied for pension benefits.

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#10 – William Margle

William Margle was not found in the Pennsylvania Veterans’ Card File.  The regiment noted on the stone is hard to read and may be the 20th Pennsylvania Infantry?  Because the veterans in this first section are not buried in order of death, it is impossible to determine approximately when he died, but most likely he death occurred before 1887.  This could be William Markle, William Marcle or William Markel.

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#11 – Unreadable

This is another unreadable stone – although some of the lettering may make sense.  By clicking on the picture, it will enlarge and perhaps a blog reader can determine what the stone says.

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#12 – “UNKNOWN”

This grave marker clearly reads “Unknown” although it is not not known why the soldier who is buried here is unknown.

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#13 – Unreadable

This badly worn stone has been exposed to the elements and shows some evidence of pitting.  At one time it also may have read “Unknown,” as it seems to have the same kind of rectangular box as is shown on #12.

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#14 – Government Issue Stone – Unreadable

This grave marker is “government issue” and is of the same style as often found in national cemeteries.  Some of the lettering is readable, but not enough to clearly identify the occupant of the grave beneath it.  The picture enlarges by clicking on it – and maybe someone can make out the name, company and regiment.

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ShamokinSoldCircle

Category: Overviews, Queries, Research, Stories | Comments Off on The Shamokin Soldiers’ Circle – Photographs 6 -14
Tags: Cemetery